College Protests Are Back. Here’s What College Discourse Can Look Like Instead

Over the past few days, pro-Palestine demonstrators have organized protests and encampments at Columbia University and Yale University, following a similar feat that the nation saw develop a year ago. Last year at my university, UT Austin, we saw mass arrests take place on students who wished to exercise their right to protest peacefully. Anyone on campus those days remembers the overwhelming fear and horror that came over them.

Even as a supporter of many pro-Palestine protests, I feel nauseous regarding how many rallies have previously played out. A common trend sees the most extreme pro-Palestine protesters leave little space for the Jewish community to mourn their losses. At the same time, pro-Israel agitators respond by laughing at the suffering of children in Gaza, creating a horrid image of dehumanization and cruelty.

With college campuses seemingly becoming the most relevant political and cultural theater for pro-Palestine and pro-Israel activism, I wish to send another message on how we can improve discourse on college campuses, the so-called "bastions of free speech."

In a cycle of dismay and depression, I believe the path forward is to have the difficult conversations that many have long avoided. How can we improve dialogue between our communities on college campuses? How can we foster a pragmatic agenda that benefits both Palestinians and Israelis?

Instead of tribalism in pro-Israel and pro-Palestine spaces, what if we concluded that both peoples deserve to be free from humiliation, violence, and expulsion? By venturing out of our echo chambers, we can turn "the other" into a brother, allowing for mutual empathy.

There is no denying that both Palestinians and Israelis have inherent ties to the land of Israel-Palestine, both historically and genetically. Instead of debating who has a right to the land, we should hold discussions as to how Palestinian and Israeli cultures are remarkably similar, cultivating a sense of community. Can you imagine the deep influence that these talks could have in building bridges?

If you are Jewish or Israeli, take it from me, a Palestinian-American, that many of us are oblivious to the history of antisemitism and may not understand the intricate history of the Jewish people. Without speaking to my community, us Palestinians may not know any better.

To my Palestinian brothers and sisters, is it possible for our Israeli colleagues to empathize with us without them hearing our stories? Will they ever comprehend the true fright of the occupation and displacement of our people without hearing it directly from us? Without conveying our individual stories, we will never bring "the other" to recognize our humanity.

Truthfully, the only way to end the cycle of brutality is not through arms, but by tearing down our destructive views on how we articulate "the other." When we begin to recognize one another as one family over adversaries, we will no longer have the appetite to turn each other into dust.

Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah, whose brother was tortured and killed by IDF soldiers, had the following to say: "If you must divide, divide us as those who believe in justice, peace, and equality, and those who don’t—yet." This is to say that we should not be divided along ethnic or religious ties, but rather, we ought to bring together those of us who hold a joint dream.

Part of this passion comes for me, working with Atidna International – a grassroots, campus-based organization devoted to dialogue and peace events between our two peoples. We have brought together hundreds of individuals – both in the United States and Israel-Palestine – in a joint search for safety and coexistence. At Atidna, we firmly believe that mutual understanding and a dedication to nonviolence are key components for a prosperous future.

Now, more than ever, it is time for our communities to end the harmful tribalism on college campuses. Instead of keeping to our echo chambers, we must come together in encouraging a shared agenda – one of empathy over evil, and of reconciliation over revenge. It is the only way for our two peoples to reach their much-deserved destinies while striving for our collective liberation.